The icy weather on Sunday meant that the Donegal Junior League programme for the weekend was slashed – with just one game surviving on Sunday.
There were a number of games played in the Saturday League, however.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Cappry Rovers Reserves 1 Arranmore United 0
A youthful Cappry side started this game well and were on the front foot from the start.
They pushed to get the opening goal early but couldn’t find a way through the Arranmore defence. The home side should have taken the lead in the 18th minute when Kyle Lafferty found David Carr on the edge of the six-yard box, but he fired wide. Arranmore came into the game as the half went on but the Cappry defence held firm.
In the 32nd minute the home team took the lead through a fine goal from Joel Bradley Walsh who flicked the ball over the Arranmore defender before volleying into the bottom corner.
Arranmore started the second half strong and pressed to get level but couldn’t find a way past the Cappry defence and goalkeeper who made several fine saves.
Cappry had chances to add to their lead but Joel Bradley Walsh had an effort saved by the keeper and also hit the post with another good effort.
In injury time following a through ball from Joel Bradley Walsh, Conor Scanlon raced through but saw his effort come back off the post. Two team performances.
Milford United Reserves 0 Strand Rovers 3
Milford welcomed league chasing Strand to Moyle View Park.
On a very heavy pitch it was Strand who took the lead after 20 minutes.
A long free kick into Milford’s box wasn’t properly dealt with and Doalty Boyle found space to rifle home. Both teams had chances to score but Strand went in at halftime one up.
Milford came out strong in the second half and were awarded a penalty on the hour mark for a handball. Jonah Serrinha saw his effort saved by the Strand keeper. Five minutes later Milford were punished with Brendan Glackin getting on the end of a good through ball to make it 2-0. Ryan Greene added a late third to give Strand the points.
A good team effort and performance from both teams.
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 1 Glencar Celtic 2
Castlefin and Glencar played out an evenly contested match with Glencar narrowly coming out on top in Park View. The hosts started the brighter and looked dangerous on the counter attack with Thomas Devlin threatening.
In the 30th minute against the run of play Garvan Grieve played through Lee Mc Monagle who’s shot was saved by Castlefin Keeper Kevin Mc Colgan but Paddy Collins smashed home the rebound.
In the 35th minute the visitors doubled their lead when Shane Hilley rifled home from the edge of the box. In the second half the home side were the superior team creating numerous chances.
Devlin broke clear but saw his effort saved, Keith Nelis had a couple headers that just floated wide before in the 88th minute the hosts pulled one back when a Nelis free kick was spilled by the Glencar keeper and Marty Owens headed home.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 2 Dunlewey Celtic 3
Click here to read Charlie Collins’ match report
Lagan Harps Reserves 0 St. Catherines Reserves 4
St Catherine’s continued their good run with a win over Lagan which was closer than the scoreline suggested.
Both teams played some excellent football but Catherines had the cutting edge.
They took the lead on 25 minutes when Charlie Boyle met a cross to the back post and fired home. Lagan played some neat football but only had a couple of efforts from the edge of the area to show for their industry.
The Saints scored their second right on half time. John Cunningham pulled off a great save from the initial shot but Charlie Blaine drove in the rebound. Lagan started the second half brightly but St. Catherines wrapped up the points on 60 minutes.
Caolan Beirne got away on the left and his thunderous drive looped over John Cunningham into the far corner. Lagan replied with Stephen Gallagher’s looping free forcing Shane O’Gara into a great save.
Reece Shortt then shot narrowly wide for Lagan after a good passing move. St Catherine’s went close on a couple of occasions before Kevin Martin found himself free in the area and finished well.
A strong team performance by Catherine’s who look like title contenders. For Lagan Sean Gallagher and Oran Downey did well at the back with Louis Cole doing well in midfield.
Raphoe Town Reserves 0 Kildrum Tigers Reserves 2
(No Report Received)
Drumkeen United Reserves 3 Drumbar F.C. 1
Drumkeen welcomed Drumbar to St Patrick’s Park for the first game of 2018. The visitors got off to a good start when they scored after 12 minutes as David Giblin fired home after a goalmouth scramble.
This was as good as it got in terms of goals in the first half as despite all their efforts neither side could find the net again. Drumkeen got back on level terms early in the second half with a neat finish from Corey McCahill.
The home team then went ahead with a superb goal from Eric Roberts. A 2-1 lead is always precarious and you are always vulnerable to a late equaliser but thankfully for the home team Darren Bonner tucked away a late penalty to ensure the home team took all three points.
This was a good team effort from both sides which was played in a good sporting manner in heavy conditions.
Fintown Harps AFC 2 Gweedore Celtic Reserves 5
The match between Gweedore Celtic Reserves and Fintown was reversed to the Screaban. It was the home team that scored first on 25 minutes when Micheal Roarty put Kyron Gleenon through to finish. Michael Coll netted Gweedore’s second leaving the home team 2-0 up at half time. Fintown were first out of the blocks in the 2nd half and were rewarded on 55 minutes when Oran Doherty scored.
Kyron Glennon and Gerard Diver then scored for Gweedore to make it 4-1 to the home team.
Fintown never gave up and Jason Campbell scored a 2nd with 15 minutes left. Ciaran Sweeney got his name on the score sheet with 10 minutes remaining to finish the game as a contest.
Fixtures
Saturday 13th January 2018 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Voodoo Venue Cup
Glenea United Reserves v Milford United Reserves
Drumkeen United Reserves v Keadue Rovers Reserves
Arranmore United v Glencar Celtic (K.O. 1p.m.)
Raphoe Town Reserves v Drumbar F.C.
Donegal Town Reserves v Dunlewey Celtic
Fintown Harps AFC v Lagan Harps Reserves
Orchard F.C. v Strand Rovers
FAI Junior Cup
Evergreen F.C. v Castlefin Celtic (7 pm)
Cappry Rovers v Mayne Rangers (1.30pm)
Sunday 14th January 2018 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Rathmullan Celtic v Lagan Harps
Drumoghill F.C. v Donegal Town
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore Celtic v Convoy Arsenal
St. Catherines v Erne Wanderers
Lifford Celtic v Ballybofey United
Keadue Rovers v Dunkineely Celtic
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. v Whitestrand United
Eany Celtic v Letterbarrow Celtic
Curragh Athletic v Drumkeen United
Gweedore United v Deele Harps
Glenree United v Cranford United
